Judge: No Laptop In Jail For Bob Bashara

Bob Bashara is seen in Wayne County Circuit Court. (credit: WWJ/Vickie Thomas, File)

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) – Bob Bashara will not be allowed a laptop in jail.

Bashara, who’s charged in his wife’s strangling death, said a computer would make it easier to read documents and prepare for trial. He suffers from macular degeneration and distorted vision, he said, and being able to enlarge text on a computer screen would help.

Defense lawyer Mark Procida noted the volume of evidence in the case, but prosecutors objected —a d Judge Vonda Evans turned down the request on Thursday.

During a hearing on the matter last month, Evans said she doesn’t want to give the appearance of giving Bashara any special privileges.

Bashara, 55 is charged first-degree murder in the death of 56-year-old Jane Bashara, who was killed at the couple’s Grosse Pointe Park home in January 2012. Her body was later found in her Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was abandoned in a Detroit alley.

Prosecutors claim Bashara — who led a secret life in S&M clubs as “Master Bob” — had his wife killed so he could carry on with another woman or two.

Handyman Joe Gentz, who is in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in Jane Bashara’s death, has said Bob Bashara threatened to kill him unless he followed orders and killed her.

Bob Bashara in media interviews repeatedly has denied any role. His trial is scheduled to begin March 3.

Bashara pleaded guilty last year to trying to have Gentz killed in jail, and is currently serving time in that case.